Max Verstappen believes Red Bull won’t know its true place in the Formula 1 pecking order until “at least two or three” races into the 2018 campaign despite be♏ing pleased with his Friday practice pace in Australia.

The Red Bull driver ended FP2 second on the timesheet narrowly beh💟ind defending F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, with just 0.127s splitting the pair, having taken third place behind both Mercedes drivers in the opening practice session.

Having been content with both his qualifying and long run pace, Verstappen is upbeat for Red Bull’s chances💦 at the 2018 opener in Melbourne but warns it may take up to three races into the season before knowing if his team are genuine F1 world titleඣ fighters.

“We have to wait as this is one Grand Prix but I think we needs at least t♛wo or three Grands Prix to really see what’s going on,” Verstappen said. “Even then, it’s a𝕴ll about the development rate of the car.

“I still think from the start of the season Mercedes will always be the favourites. They’ve won four titles in a row. You know Mercedes are going t🧸o be quick but I think we still have some things to improve of course but I’m positive.”

With the weather forecast predicting unsettled conditions and potential rain for qualifying i💞n Australia, Verstappen is hoping for a wet Saturday as he feels he can extract the best performance from both himself and the new RB14 in the rain.

“The rain should [help], yes,” he said. “Because it’s not so engine dependent in the wet. It’s just a bit trickier to go on the power and stuff, and our car is quite good in the wet and I🐠 enjoy myself as well. Hopefully tomor🔯row will be wet.”